Credits

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

The chart below shows all 62 legislators who voted in favor of the same-sex marriage ban at today's Constitutional Convention, along with the results from their 2006 general election. I've crossed out the six of them, who have been replaced by pro-marriage equality legislators. That leaves seven who must change their votes if the ban is to be defeated before going to a statewide ballot -- though it's really eight since Gale Candaras moved up to the Senate, replacing pro-marriage Republican Brian Lees.

Which of these leglislators is persuadable? It's not impossible for people to change their minds even on an issue as controversial as this. Enough changed their position to kill off the Travaglini-Lees amendment that would have banned marriage, but created civil unions. Who of these might respond to citizen pressure? Who might be willing to stave off a 2008 challenge in return for their vote? Who has their eye on an appointment and may be replaced in a special election? How else can we get this list down to 49?